A POLICE sergeant who made racist remarks in front of the public has been kicked out of the force.

At a misconduct hearing yesterday, Andrew Hother, 49, admitted to behaving in a bullying manner towards his colleagues, making racist remarks, and vaping inside police cars while in uniform.

The sergeant has been dismissed for breaching standards of professional behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, equality and diversity and orders and instructions.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Carr, head of the force's professional standards department, said: "Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of anyone who works for us and any allegations of behaviour that do not meet those standards are rigorously investigated.

“This officer’s behaviour fell far short of the standards we expect at Sussex Police. He has let himself, his colleagues and the public down."

PS Hother admitted the allegations and the panel, headed by an independent legally-qualified chair, found that two of the allegations amounted to gross misconduct and the last amounted to misconduct.

These were:

  • Between January 2019 and January 2020 he behaved in a bullying manner towards colleagues.
  • Between January 2019 and January 2020 he made racist remarks to his colleagues and in the presence of members of the public.
  • On frequent occasions he was seen vaping inside police vehicles or at public locations whilst in uniform.

The matters were described as very serious and he was dismissed from the force without notice.